Enjoy a breathtaking scenic whale flight, with stunning scenic views along the spectacular kaikoura coastline. A whale of a time in kaikoura we had lady luck on our side today and it wasnt long until the captain and crew spotted a sperm whale in the distance. This article examines the role of whale watching as a form of sustainable tourism development with particular reference to a case study in kaikoura, new zealand. Whale watching in kaikoura nz kaikoura whale watching new. Kaikoura also attracts the largest concentration and variety of seabirds on mainland new zealand including species of albatross, 14 varieties of petrels and 7 types of shearwater. Packages suitable for couples, friends and families saving you a huge 15% discount. If you need help identifying species, download the marine mammal sighting. This was the cherry on top of our incredible new zealand journey. A whale of a time in kaikoura the planet d adventure.
Admire breathtaking views of the snowcapped kaikoura ranges and visit a fur seal colony on land. A typical whale watch tour may encounter new zealand fur seals, pods of dusky dolphins and the endangered wandering albatross. Learn about the animals and their habitat from live commentary on board. Please note that during the months of nov mar there is a rest period in place for viewing of the dusky dolphins between the hours of 11. Kaikoura whale watching best time of the day to go. Watching sperm whales, pilot whales and hundreds of dolphins off kaikoura, new zealand 2016. Slooten, impacts of commercial whale watching on male sperm whales at kaikoura, new zealand. On an average summers day, whale watching boats are present for about 40% of the surfacings of the whales found close to shore. This afternoon is free for you to explore kaikoura.
Other sightings might include southern right, humpback, and pilot whales. Visit whale watch kaikoura on your trip to kaikoura or new. Feb 12, 2016 watching sperm whales, pilot whales and hundreds of dolphins off kaikoura, new zealand 2016. For each marine mammal species you will find a description and some interesting information along with a beautiful image which you can download into your. The kaikoura whale watch boats actually leave 30 minutes after your check in time. However, the safety briefing starts only at 145pm, so there was a long waiting time. Whale watch in kaikoura, whaleway station rd, kaikoura.
Weve got 3 easy trails in kaikoura ranging from 1 to 1. An unforgettable experience as you witness the whale tail farewell as the whale dives to the deep canyon depths. The town has an estimated permanent resident population of 2,210 as of june 2019. Whale watch kaikoura 2020 all you need to know before. Arrive at the port, hop into a sailboat, and cruise around kaikoura for an almost guaranteed whale sighting.
The town is the governmental seat of the territorial authority of the kaikoura district, which is politically a part of the canterbury region. Kaikoura is new zealands premium marine and wildlife destination. In other months you get to see orca, humpback whales, blue whales, hector dolphins and many other coastal seabirds. A couple hours north of christchurch, new zealand sits the very small tourist and fishing town of.
Sperm whales off kaikoura support a thriving whale watch industry. An impressive 95% success rate means that you are guaranteed an 80% refund if your tour does not see a whale. For sperm whales, as well as all other species, it is important that guidelines are followed to limit the impacts of whale watching on the whales long term welfare and survival. Sep 11, 2011 giant sperm whales are the biggest of the toothed whales and the worlds largest predator. Wwk is an indigenous, 100% maori owned and operated venture in the small coastal town of kaikoura. Sperm whale kaikoura highres stock photo getty images. Return to top sperm whale diving with whale watching vessel in the background in kaikoura, new zealand. Then they go on their long journey to feed in the rich feeding grounds of the north. Your support will go a long way in helping tour operators worldwide get back on their feet down the road. The weather in new zealand is often best during the months of october march, so if you prefer the warmer kind of days then whale watching during the nz summer is a good bet. Tour operators such as whale watch kaikoura will take you out to view marine life which includes the mighty sperm whales drawn by the deep sea trenches on the continental shelf that is just a short distance from the coastline. Whale watch kaikoura kaikoura tour hasslefree tours.
Next we will visit a fur seal colony before heading into kaikoura for some free. Dec 19, 2017 embark on a whale watching adventure from new zealands premier whale watching destination kaikoura on one of new zealands best whale watching experiences. From your catamaran boat youll get up close to whales, seals, and dolphins in the deep waters off shore, as well as albatross. Kaikouras whale watching is one of new zealands deservedly famous. Whale watch kaikoura refund 80% of your cost if you do not see a whale. Watch the giant sperm whales in the deep waters off the spectacular coast of kaikoura. A sperm whale spotted from wings over whaless gippsland ga8 airvan in kaikoura, new zealand. Sperm whales are long lived and do not reach physical maturity until about 30. Whale watch kaikoura we booked a tour for the 115pm slot and were told to arrive at 1pm, which we did.
Whale watching in kaikoura is the mustdo activity while in this beautiful, peaceful part of new zealands spectacular south island. They can grow up to 20 metres and weigh over 50 tons. Kaikoura and whale watching were one of the places and experiences that will forever live in our memories. The largest whale watching operation is based in kaikoura, where tours focus on. Kaikoura, canterbury, new zealand three day weather. Kaikoura and whale watching puttering around the world. This full day tour includes a scenic drive from christchurch over the canterbury plains before arriving in the majestic seaside village of kaikoura. It is a long journey out to sea and we had our guide tell us a little bit about the history of the company, the whales of the region and about what we could expect on our trip. Endorsed by qualmark new zealand, our professional and experienced team will ensure you have a safe and comfortable flight.
Whales are a very common sight in the waters off kaikoura because of a 2kilometre underwater canyon that sits beside the coast. Ka01 kaikoura whale watching cruise with whale watch. Giant sperm whales are the stars of the show and yearround residents. Awesome spot in this planet to meet sperm whales in a very respecful way. If your whale watch tour does not see a whale we will refund 80% of your fare. A kaikoura whale watching cruise and dolphin swim are the highlights of this delightful 2day nature tour, roundtrip from christchurch. Kaikoura is renowned as the whale watching capital of new zealand. Whale watch kaikoura whale watching boat tours in kaikoura. Nestled in the heart of the town, the award winning whale watch kaikoura has 25 years of successful whale watching under its belt and with their 95% success rate of spotting a whale on each excursion youre pretty much guaranteed to see one.
This article examines the role of whalewatching as a form of sustainable tourism development with particular reference to a case study in kaikoura, new zealand. Whales different types of whales whale watch kaikoura. Once in kaikoura we will make our way to a lookout to enjoy. Apr 21, 2020 kaikoura and whale watching were one of the places and experiences that will forever live in our memories. You can view sperm whales, dusky dolphins, seals and albatross all year round.
The blue whale blow is over 9 metres high and so large it forms a cloud that floats above the sea long after the whale has dived. It is famed for its marine mammals whales, dolphins, seals and other sealife, all of which you can see, some of which you can swim with, and some you can eat. During these months we most commonly have the opportunity to view pods of orca as they pass by, usually in pods of between 612 individuals 2 or 3 times a month. The tour starts with a 10minute safety briefing in the theatre at the whaleway station yes it is called that the railway tracks run past the building.
Theyve come a long way from that original small, inflatable vessel to the 5 modern catamarans used today. I had my concerns about whether or not we would see any whales but they have a 95% success rate in finding at least one whale working with other fisherman and pilots in the area, they are always in contact to make sure. After our route had taken us from picton all the way down the west coast, we saved kaikoura and whale watching as the last highlight of our slow travel in new zealand. Tales from the deep wildlife encounters in kaikoura. Overall, the kaikoura station recorded the highest rate of sperm whale foraging activity fig. Look for the mighty sperm whales that live in these waters along with dolphins, new zealand fur seals and seabirds.
Tail fluke of a sperm whale diving off the coast of kaikoura, new zealand. Whether its boat, plane or helicopter, weve listed all the options here with the most. Whale watching boat tours in kaikoura whale watch kaikoura is one of the most popular tourist attractions and ranked in the top tourist activity of 101 must dos in new zealand. Just to top it off, we even saw an albatross gliding around as we cruised back to kaikoura. It is located on state highway 1, 180 km north of christchurch. Go whale watching in kaikoura, new zealand youtube. Conservation policy tiaki promise whale watch is committed to providing a quality whale watching experience while carefully managing the use of a rare natural resource. Whale watch kaikoura nestled in the heart of the town, the award winning whale watch kaikoura has 25 years of successful whale watching under its belt and with their 95% success rate of spotting a whale on each excursion youre pretty much guaranteed to see one.
Kaikoura whale watching scenic flight air kaikoura 40 minute flight. Speed may be gradually increased to outdistance dolphins and should not. It is located on state highway 1, 180 km north of christchurch kaikoura became the first local authority in the southern hemisphere to achieve recognition by the earthcheck community standard the town has an estimated permanent resident population of 2,150 as of june. Get your 3day weather forecast for kaikoura, canterbury, new zealand. Their ethos is centred around sustainable tourism, using modern catamarans which. Whale watch kaikoura is billed as new zealands ultimate marine experience, and id have to agree 100%.
Once in kaikoura we will make our way to a lookout to enjoy spectacular views of this pretty seaside. Kaikoura is a small coastal town located on new zealands south island, roughly 200km north of christchurch. Kaikoura is the whale watching capital of new zealand, every whale watch tour is a unique experience and the sightings vary. Kaikoura whale and dolphin overnight tour from christchurch. Kaikoura is renowned for its amazing marine life, and youll discover why on this whale watching tour. Visit kaikoura to see these amazing marine mammals and birds in their natural habitat.
Due to popularity of whale watching tours, advanced bookings are essential price. Whale watching in kaikoura by boat a must if you are in the area and really worth making an effort if you are not. Home book now whale watch kaikoura is new zealands ultimate year round nature experience offering visitors exciting close encounters with giant sperm whales. Air kaikoura aero club was the first to offer whale watching flights in kaikoura and for the last 30 years has been providing amazing whale experiences. There is only one whale watching company in kaikoura heres the link and its called simply whale watch kaikoura. Kaikoura became the first local authority in the southern hemisphere to achieve recognition by the earthcheck community standard. Once in kaikoura we will make our way to a lookout to enjoy spectacular views of this pretty seaside village, the majestic mountains and the beautiful pacific ocean. Wings over whales kaikoura conduct whale watching flights, scenic mountain tours and private charter. So if you want to book on the 10am trip for example, which lines up nicely with the train from christchurch, then you need to check in just after 10am and the boat wont actually depart until 10. Experience kaikouras mighty sperm whale, playful dusky dolphin and majestic scenery from above. Kaikoura is home to the main new zealand population of sperm whales, including. Whale watching in kaikoura by boat provided by whale watch.
We are visitors to the world of the whales and respect it as such at all times. Behavioural responses to the presence of whale watching boats include sudden turns and changes in speed, as well as changes in the length of time. Looking for a great trail near kaikoura, canterbury. We may have been lucky but we had a fantastic experience with whale watch kaikoura and saw 2 sperm whales, a pod of hector dolphins with two babies, albatrosses, seals, and a blue shark. Best trails near kaikoura, canterbury new zealand alltrails. Whale watch kaikoura marine experience 60 secs 7,872 views 1 year ago kaikoura is the whale watching capital of new zealand, every whale watch tour is a unique experience and the sightings vary. The arrival of european settlers to these maori lands in the mid 1800s led to the conversion of much of the surrounding area to farm land and the establishment of a shorebased whaling industry. Whale watch kaikoura wwk is new zealands only marinebased whalewatching company, operating year round and offering visitors an exciting and upclose encounter with sperm whales. Whale watch kaikoura from christchurch, new zealand.
Ideally wed do the boat closer up but we have doubts re a can the boats find them as reliably as flights and b is there much. Whale watching in new zealand is predominantly centered around the areas of kaikoura and. Figure 5 boxplot of the number of click trains per day detected each month at. Kaikoura tours see more, do more with hasslefree tours. Other whaling stations soon followed, and at one stage the industry employed over one. Commonly asked questions about whale watching kaikoura. Whale watch is new zealands only vesselbased whale watching company offering visitors an exciting upclose encounter with the worlds largest toothed predator the giant sperm whale in their natural environment at all times of the year. Kaikoura is known as new zealands whalewatching mecca. We checked in for our whale watch here and watched a short safety video before heading off. On arrival in kaikoura you will be transferred to a whalewatching tour by boat.
Animal experts and kaikoura tourism operators are keen to find out how mondays 7. The whale way station, where whale watch kaikoura is located, is an old converted railway station. Whale watch kaikoura 2020 all you need to know before you. The undersea kaikoura canyon brings abyssal depths and sperm whales close to the coast, and whale watching has been a major tourist attraction since the 1980s. I have to say, the whale watch trip was a total success, having seen the whale, dolphins and an albatross. That being said, book your trip far in advance if you prefer a later tour. Hi were planning to be in kaikura next march and want to do a whale watch. The company has played a vital role in rebuilding the. Christchurch canterbury, whale watching in new zealand. Book your tickets online for whale watch kaikoura, kaikoura.
Not only do you get a rare chance to get up close and personal with these majestic mammals, but you also get to choose how and where youd like to see the whales from. Majestic snow capped mountains fall into the ocean here, while just offshore the 2km deep underwater kaikoura canyon attracts a huge array of marine and plant life, the most famous of which being the. Whale watching vessel in kaikoura with sperm whale in the foreground. Kaikouras newest motel on the waterfront, opened in november 1997, offers 15 architecturally designed motel units, all fully selfcontained. Your marine experience includes a visit to a new zealand fur seal colony and suiting up in snorkel gear to swim alongside the amazing dusky dolphins. Whale watch flights whale watching in kaikoura will be a highlight of your trip to new zealand. Whale and dolphin watching kaikoura best time to visit top. Take a whale watch kaikoura cruise to look for majestic sperm whales and dusky dolphins. Nov 19, 2019 just to top it off, we even saw an albatross gliding around as we cruised back to kaikoura. Kaikoura is a small coastal town on the east coast pacific ocean of the south island of new zealand, about 180 km north of christchurch and km south of blenheim. Kaikoura is a leading nature tourist destination, bestknown for its whale. Experience the natural treasures of new zealand on a whale watching cruise from the picturesque town of kaikoura. Whale watch is located in the small coastal town of kaikoura on the east coast of new zealands south island a scenic two and a halfhour drive north from christchurch and two hour drive south from picton.
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